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Affidavit: Man admitted to drinking before fatal crash

The man who allegedly caused the crash that killed three people on Christmas Eve admitted to drinking at least five beers and two shots before the crash, according to a police complaint affidavit.

Joel Garcia Jr., 24, was arrested on suspicion of intoxicated manslaughter in the deaths of brothers Joshua and Isaiah Deal and Shannon Del Rio. The crash took place about 1:45 a.m. on Dec. 24.

Police said Garcia allegedly drove a 2010 Camaro through a red light in the 1600 block of Joe Battle Boulevard and crashed into a white 2004 Pontiac Grand Am traveling east on Vista Del Sol Drive.

According to the affidavit, Joshua Deal was the driver of the Grand Am and Del Rio was the front passenger. Isaiah Deal was sitting in the back seat.

The affidavit states two witnesses told police they were stopped at the red light in the southbound lanes of Joe Battle Boulevard when they saw the Camaro speed past them and drive past the right light. At the same time, the Grand Am entered the intersection on Vista Del Sol Drive at the green light and was struck by the Camaro.

Both vehicles then slid southbound and came to a rest in the middle of Joe Battle Boulevard. Both cars caught fire, with Joshua Deal and Del Rio trapped inside the Grand Am. They died at the scene. Isaiah Deal, who was ejected from the Grand Am, was taken to Del Sol Medical Center where he died from his injuries.

According to the affidavit, one witness told police Garcia's passenger, Enrique Gaucin, got out of the Camaro through the passenger side and pulled Garcia out. When the witness approached Gaucin, he told her Garcia had been driving and was drunk, the affidavit states.

The affidavit also states the witness told police Garcia kept asking about his car and wanted to leave the scene.

According to the affidavit, Garcia admitted to a police officer that he had been drinking but refused to provide a sample of his blood. He was taken to Del Sol for treatment while officers went to the Pebble Hills Regional Command Center to work on a warrant to take a sample of Garcia's blood.

The affidavit states that medical staff at Del Sol contacted police and told them they planned to give Garcia medications that would "alter his blood chemistry." Police obtained a sample of Garcia's blood just before medical staff gave Garcia the medications, according to the affidavit. Garcia later refused further medical treatment and was released to police.

According to the affidavit, Gaucin told police Garcia had been driving when the crash took place, and Garcia initially refused to give a statement to police. The affidavit states that Garcia later changed his mind and gave a statement, admitting to drinking before the crash, but said he didn't remember driving the Camaro.

Jail records show Garcia is 5 feet tall and weighs 130 pounds.

El Paso police arrested 27 people, including Garcia, who were suspected of drunk driving between Christmas Eve and Dec. 28.

Police said out of the 27 arrests, three were arrested for their second driving while intoxicated offense, and two were arrested a third time for alleged driving drunk.

Seven of those arrested had a suspected blood alcohol content of .15 or more. The legal limit in Texas is .08.

Garcia remained jailed Monday on bonds totaling $300,000. Court records show Garcia is scheduled to plead guilty to a misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charge on Feb. 5. On Monday, County Court at Law No. 4 Judge Alejandro Gonzalez revoked Garcia's $750 bond in that case.

To donate to the Deal and Del Rio families online, visit gofundme.com/isaiahjoshshannon.